Ap″pe‐tite (�), n. [OE. appetit, F. appétit, fr. L. appetitus, fr. appetere to strive after, long for; ad + petere to seek. See Petition, and cf. Appetence.] 1. The desire for some personal gratification, either of the body or of the mind.
The object of appetite it whatsoever sensible good may be wished for; the object of will is that good which reason does lead us to seek.
Hooker.
2. Desire for, or relish of, food or drink; hunger.
Men must have appetite before they will eat.
Buckle.
3. Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.
It God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.
Jer. Taylor.
To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvelous.
Macaulay.
4. Tendency; appetency.
In all bodies there as an appetite of union.
Bacon.
5. The thing desired.
Power being the natural appetite of princes.
Swift.
☞ In old authors, appetite is followed by to or of, but regularly it should be followed by for before the object; as, an appetite for pleasure.
Syn. — Craving; longing; desire; appetency; passion.